The Arbor programme has been created to foster an interdisciplinary approach to creative research, and to create a physical and intellectual space for the development of meaningful artistic, academic and community collaborations.
RDS members, artists and researchers from UCL Dementia Research Centre (DRC) took part in the first round of Arbor last year creating innovative projects which included; exploring meaningful milestones in the Familial Alzheimer’s Disease journey, the phenomenon of memory and forgetting, and the role of uncertainty in art, research and care. Please follow the links below to find out more:
Walking in your Footsteps is a collaborative project involving neurologist Natalie Ryan, artist Briony Campbell and members of the Rare Dementia Support Familial Alzheimer’s disease (FAD) support group, developing creative workshops where people can connect and share their stories, whilst exploring experiences of living in a family affected by FAD and meaningful milestones in the FAD journey.
Drawing the Stuff of Memory is a project exploring the phenomenon of memory and how the continuum between remembrance and forgetfulness is perceived, represented, and understood by means of drawing.
Ebb and Flow aims to foster a collaborative exchange of knowledge between artists, researchers, and carers of individuals with dementia. It explores the complexities of uncertainty and the challenges it presents in these three different contexts.
The second round of Arbor will commence in 2025. You can find more information about how to get involved on the Trellis: Arbor webpages
Image credit: Ebb and Flow event, photographer Zoe Maxwell
22 May 2025–03 June 2025, 10:00 am–6:00 pm
Everything is Connected, a new visual art exhibition exploring UCL’s ground-breaking neurological research, will run at the Crafts Council, London from 22nd May to 3rd June during Dementia Action Week. More information here.